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Strange Disease Killing tomatoes at Bandem

The livelihood of Young farmers at the Bandem Irrigation project is under threat as a strange disease has made it impossible for them to cultivate tomatoes for the past three years.

The strange disease, according to the farmers, started attacking their farms in 2015 and though they have reported to the Department of agriculture in the Builsa north district, they have not had any response from them.

Atiinka Akumkperimi, a 38 year old tomato farmer, told Starr News that for the past three years anytime the tomatoes begin to fruit, they dry off.

He said “just look at this one, it has started drying up and that is what has been happening to us for the past three years”.

“We have reported to the agric office but they only come here and look at the plants and leave,” he added.

The development has affected not only the incomes of the tomato farmers but also the availability of tomatoes at the Sandema market.

Mr. Akumkperimi lamented “we have been struggling to make ends meet since the problem started. The money we used to make is no more same so we are appealing to government to come to our aid to solve this problem”.

Aside the tomatoes, Okro plants are also suffering from a similar strange disease causing them to shrink.

DCE for the area David Afoko who visited the area at the instance of Starr News said he will get officials of MOFA to respond to the concerns of the farmers.